India complete 5-0 whitewash against Zim

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Last Updated: Sat, Aug 03, 2013 17:34 hrs

Amit Mishra picked up six wickets as India defeat Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the fifth One Day International (ODI) match of the series and helped the visitors register a comprehensive five-match ODI series whitewash on foreign soil at Queens Sports Club here on Saturday.

Chasing 164 for victory, India reached 167 by losing only three wickets in 34 overs.

India made a poor start as they lost the wicket of opener Cheteshwar Pujara (0) in the first over of the innings.

Kyle Jarvis bowled Pujara to give India an initial jolt.

Ajinkya Rahane (50) and Shikhar Dhawan (41) added 55 runs in the second wicket partnership that helped the home side recover after losing Pujara quickly.

Jarvis, who was the top wicket taker for Zimbabwe on Saturday, also picked up Dhawan´s wicket in the 11th over as the scorecard read 55 for 2.

Rahane, who was playing his first match of the series, played steadily and remained the top scorer for India with his 50.

He hit four boundaries and a six in his 66-ball knock.

Part-timer Malcolm Waller bowled Rahane in the 28th over but it did not help the hosts as India were well on course for another victory.

Ravindra Jadeja played a crucial knock of unbeaten 48 runs off 77 balls and Dinesh Karthik remained not out at 10 as they added 41 runs in the fourth wicket partnership to help India reach the target without losing any more wicket.

Jadeja ended the contest by hitting a six off Waller.

Earlier, Zimbabwe were all out for 163 runs.

Sean Williams was the only batsman who tried to put up some resistance for the hosts with his 51 off 65 balls.

Hamilton Masakadza was the second top-scorer for Zimbabwe with his 32.

Jadeja, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami picked up one wicket each for India.

Mishra, who was adjudged the Man of the Match, also took his wicket tally in the series to 18 and equaled former Indian pacer Javagal Srinath´s world record for the most wickets in a bilateral ODI series.